Liquid handling machine for log debarking



Dec. 14, 1954 P. J. BILY LIQUID HANDLING MACHINE FOR LOG DEBARKING Original Filed May 8, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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Dec. 14, 1954 P. J. BlLY 2,697,006

LIQUID HANDLING MACHINE FOR LOG DEBARKING Original Filed May 8, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 N V EN TOR. Pe/er ffl Dec. 14, 1954 P. J. BILY I I LIQUID HANDLING MACHINE FOR LOG DEBARKING I Original Filed May 8, 1950 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent LIQUID HANDLING MACHINE FOR LOG DEBARKING Peter J. Bily, Brea, Calif., assiguor to C hiksan Company, Brea, Calif.,'a corporation of California 6 Claims. (Cl. 299-55) This invention has to do with a liquid handling machine and it is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, practical, improved machine serving to receive liquid at a fixed point and deliver it to a moving or reciprocal nozzle or the like.

This application is filed as a division of copending application, Serial No. 160,672, filed May 8, 1950, entitled Jet Delivering Apparatus.

There are various situations in which a fluid such as a liquid is to be handled under high pressure or at a highvelocity for delivery to a moving nozzle orthe like. A typical situation is present where logs are to be stripped of bark and where the method employed involves delivering a high pressure, high velocity jet to a log suitably held or suspended and the operation of the jet lengthwise of the log so that the stripping action occurs throughout the length of the log. The present invention can be used to advantage in other and different situations. However, since it is particularly practical as applied to a log stripping operation it will be described in this connection.

A general object of the present invention is to provide apparatus of the general character referred to which receives liquid such as water, under very high pressure at a fixed point, and delivers it in a stream or jet adjacent a log or the like and so that the stream or jet advances longitudinally of the log as the stripping or other operation progresses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the general character referred to which handles a stream of fluid between a fixed source of supply and a nozzle supported by a reciprocating carriage without passing the fluid through joints or glands subject to failure or leakage.

A further object of the present invention is to provide various improvements in the arrangement and general construction of apparatus of the general character referred to.

The machine in which the present invention is em bodied involves, generally, a jet delivering nozzle which, in its preferred form, involves a tip, a curved neck carrying the tip, and a stem from which the neck projects. A support is provided for the nozzle and carries the nozzle for movement relative to work such as a log or the like. Where the work is substantially straight and elongate the support for the nozzle may involve a straight elongate track and a carriage supported on the track through wheels or the like. The carriage involves side plates and a fluid handling manifold pivotally or rotatably mounted between the plates. A supply line delivers high pressure fluid, for instance, water under high pressure, to the machine and a fluid handling arm is attached to the manifold of the carriage and receives fluid from the supply line through a fluid conducting means involving one or more flexible conduits. A mounting for the arm supports the fluid receiving end portion of the arm for reciprocation and swinging or oscillatory motion. A fluid handling connection is provided between the manifold of the carriage and the stern of the nozzle and is characterized by a nipple with a small or restricted end receiving fluid from the manifold of the carriage and ICC 2 tion, for instance in a position where it projects upwardly toward the work and an actuating means is provided for reciprocating the carriage so the nozzle is moved in the desired manner lengthwise of the work.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

. Fig. 1 is a general view of a machine embodying the present invention showing it in one extreme position in full lines and in the other extreme position in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan section taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan section taken as indicated by line 7-7 on Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the nozzle and Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the nozzle taken as indicated by line 99 on Fig. 8.

The machine shown in the drawings and embodying the present invention involves, generally, a nozzle A, means B supporting the nozzle for movement relative to work W, a fluid supply line C delivering fluid such as water at high pressure, a fluid handling arm D supplying fluid to the means B, a mounting E for the arm D, means F conducting fluid from the supply line C to the arm D, a fluid handling connection G from the means B to the nozzle A, a releasable holder H for the nozzle, and actuating means J operating the means B to shift the nozzle A relative to the work W.

In the drawings the work W is illustrated as a log from which bark is to be removed by a jet of liquid delivered by the nozzle A. In practice the log or work W may be supported in any suitable manner and in any desired position. In the case illustrated the log is shown horizontally disposed and is shown suspended in the desired position by means of chains 10.

The nozzle A receives fluid at a high pressure from the means B and delivers it in a stream or jet which acts upon the work W, in this case upon the log, to strip bark therefrom. The particular nozzle illustrated involves, generally, a tip 11 from which the jet of fluid is a large or low pressure end where fluid is delivered to delivered, a neck 12 that carries the tip, and a stem 13 from which the neck projects.

In the case illustrated the portion of the means B from which the nozzle receives fluid is horizontally disposed and consequently it is preferred that the stem 13 of the nozzle be horizontally disposed in order to receive fluid directly from the means B. Further, in the case illustrated the means B is located somewhat below and to one side of the work W and the arrangement is such that the jet from the tip 11 issues upwardly against the work. Under these circumstances the neck 12 is curved or arcuate in form and extends through an angle slightly less than It will be understood that as conditions vary the shape and formation of the nozzle A may vary and there may be situations where the neck and stem of the nozzle are, in effect, one straight continuous part. Where the neck 12 of the nozzle is curved or arcuate, as shown in the drawings, it is preferred that it be flattened somewhat in cross sectional configuration, as shown in Fig. 9, instead of being round in cross section. The stem 13 and the tip are preferably round in cross section and the tip is tapered or convergent so that it serves to deliver the desired jet.

The means B supporting the nozzle A for movement relative to the work W supports the nozzle for horizontal movement parallel with the work W and in the preferred form of the invention the means B serves to reciprocate the nozzle A horizontally through a stroke corresponding substantially to the length of the work W.

In the form of the invention illustrated the means B involves, generally, a track 15 made up of spaced rails 16 and a carriage on the track and made up of spaced parallel sides 17 and a manifold 18 carried by and between the sides 17.

in the particular case illustrated there are two straight parallel rails 16 horizontally disposed and carried by or extending between two spaced are disposed to extend parallel with the work W and are preferably somewhat longer than the work, as will be noted from Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The sides 17 of the carriage are alike and each is shown as involving a flat vertically disposed body 20 and flanges 21 and 22 projecting outwardly from the upper and lower edges of the body. Spindles 24 project from the outer sides of the bodies 2% and carry wheels 25 which operate on the rails 16.

The manifold 18- is a fluid or liquid handling manifold extending transversely of the carriage between the sides 17 thereof and in the case illustrated the manifold is attached to or carried by the sides of the carriage so that it can turn or rotate about its longitudinal axis, which axis extends transversely of the carriage. In the particular case illustrated suitable manifold carrying bearings 27 are secured to the inner sides of the bodies 20 as by suitable fasteners 28 and have bearing bushings 29 rotatably supporting the end portions of the manifold.

The means I serves to operate or reciprocate the carriage above described longitudinally of the rails 16. In the case shown in the drawings the means I is provided to reciprocate the carriage between the positions illussupports 19. The rails 16 1 trated in Fig. l of the drawings, in which case the nozzle A is operated lengthwise of the work W from one end of the work to the other. In the case illustrated the means I involves a fluid pressure actuated cylinder and piston unit 30 and a piston rod 31 coupling the unit 30 with the carriage of the means B The fluid supply line C delivers fluid, for instance, water under very high pressure, say for example about 2,000 pounds per square inch, and in the arrangement illustrated in the drawings the line C terminates at a point well below the rails 16.

The fluid handling arm D is preferably a straight elongate rigid tubular conduit of substantial length and has its upper or delivery end joined to the manifold 18 as by a suitable connection 35. In the particular case illustrated the manifold 18 has a lateral fluid receiving extension 36 projecting from it intermediate its ends and the connection is a bolted flange connection rigidly coupling the discharge end of the arm to the manifold.

The mounting means E for the arm D supports the receiving or lower end of the arm so that this end of the arm is free to reciprocate vertically and so the arm is free to swing or oscillate as between positions such as are shown in Fig. l. The particular structure illustrated in the drawings involves spaced vertical guideways 40 and a crosshead 41 carried in the guideways to reciprocate therein and supporting the arm D.

The crosshead as shown throughout the drawings involves blocks 44 which are slidably carried in the guideways 40 and a cross arm 45 which extends between and is rotatably supported in bearings 46 provided on the blocks. A lateral projection on the cross arm is joined to the lower end of arm I) by a suitable flange connection 48. Through the structure just described the lower end portion of the arm D is supported for reciprocation in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the work, as shown in Fig. l, and it is also supported for rotation or oscillation, so that the carriage to which the upper end of the arm is attached is free to be reciprocated lengthwise of the work W from one end to the other thereof.

The means F provided for conducting fluid from the supply line C to the arm D involves one or more flexible conduits 50. In the case illustrated there are two conduits 56 each joined to the line C through a suitable connection 51 and to the lower end portion of arm D through a suitable connection 52. The flexible conduits are of such length and are so related to the oscillating reciprocating lower end of the arm D as to allow for free operation or movement of the arm required for the desired reciprocation of the carriage of means B.

The fluid handling connection G connects the stem 13 of nozzle A with the manifold 18 of the means B, and it connects these parts so that the liquid or fluid is handled without leakage and so that the nozzle can be turned or swung, if necessary, relative to the manifold. In the preferred form of construction the fluid connection G involves, generally, a nipple 60 carried by the plate 17 that supports the discharge end portion 61 of the manifold I8','a coupling 62' connecting the stem to the outer end of the nipple, and sealing means 63 between the manifold and nipple.

The nipple 60 is shown as an elongate tubular member with a central fluid passage considerably smaller at its receiving endthan at its discharge end. The nipple 66 is supported from the body 17 carrying the discharge end portion 61 of the manifold through a flange 65, or the like, and its small receiving end portion 66 is in line with and therefore receives fluid from the reduced discharge end portion 67 of the opening provided through the manifold 13. In the particular case, illustrated the flange 65 engages the outer side of the bearing member 27 to which it is secured by suitable fasteners 68, the bearing. member being in turn joined to the body 17 by the fasteners 28 hereinabove described. The discharge end portion of the manifold 18 is reduced or restricted so that it is considerably smaller in diameter than other parts of the opening through the manifold. In the case illustrated the discharge end portion 67 of the opening in the manifold is tapered so that it is substantially the same size as the receiving end 66 of the nipple at the point where the manifold delivers fluid into the nipple. As a result of this arrangement and relationship of parts, which is shown in Fig. 5, the fluid or liquid flowing through the structure increases materially in velocity as it flows through the manifold portion 67 and the nipple portion 66, with the result that but a nominal pressure occurs tending to cause leakage between the manifold and nipple at the joint 70.

The outer or delivery end portion 71 of the nipple 6t) flares outwardly or enlarges from the inner end portion 60 so that the fluid issues from the nipple at a substantial velocity and so that there is not a high or excessive pressure at the joint 72 that occurs between the nipple 6t) and the coupling 62.

The coupling 62- provides a swivel connection between the stem 13 of the nozzle and the nipple 60. In accordance with the present invention the coupling 62 is a tubular member with a small outer end portion 8% internally threaded at 81 to receive and hold the end of the stem 13 of the nozzle. The inner end portion 82 of the coupling 62 is enlarged and has a socket opening 83 receiving the discharge end portion of the nipple 60. Suitable antifriction bearing means couple the coupling 62 and the nipple so the coupling is free to turn on the nipple. In the case illustrated this bearing means involves rows of balls 86 in registering grooves or raceways 87 provided in the exterior of the nipple and the interior of the tubular part 82. The balls may be introduced into place through an opening 87 normally closed by a plug 83.

A suitable packing or sealing means is provided between the coupler 62 and the nipple 66. In the particular arrangement illustrated a sealing ring 90 is provided between the outer end of the nipple 60 and the bottom of the socket opening provided in the coupler 6 2. The sealing ring 90, being thus located, stops or checks escape of fluid from the joint 72 occurring between the coupler 62 and the nipple. In practice it is preferred that a suitable seal 91 be provided between the exterior of the nipple 6t) and the outer end portion of the socket opening 83 to retain lubricant in the coupler and to prevent foreign matter from entering the structure.

The sealing means 63 provided between the manifold 18 and the nipple 60 is preferably in the form of an annular seal or ring 93 of suitable sealing material carried in an annular chamber 94 provided between the inner end of nipple 60 and the discharge end of the manifold. In the particular case illustrated the exterior of the discharge end portion of the manifold is cut away or reduced somewhat to provide the recess 94 for the packing ring in which case the packing ring actually surrounds the portion of the manifold from which the fluid finally discharges to enter the nipple.

It is preferred, in practice, that a packer or seal 95 be provided between the manifold 18 and the bearing member 27 between which parts there is relative move ment as the structure operates. The seal or packing ring 95 is outward of the sealing ring 93 and a drain opening or passageway 97 is provided between the packing rings 93 and 95 so that any fluid leaking past the packing ring 93 is drained from the structure. The drain passage is shown as occurring between the inner end portion of the nipple 60 where the nipple enters '5 an opening 98 provided in the bearing member 27 and a port is provided in the flange 65 of the nipple, as shown in Fig. 5.

The holding means H serves to releasably hold the nozzle A in the up or working position shown throughout the drawings. From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the means G couples the nipple to the carriage of means B so that the nozzle can swing or turn if desired. In practice the nozzle may strike an obstacle of some kind and if the nozzle is not free to release under certain predetermined strain it is likely to be damaged or other parts of the machine are likely to be damaged. The means H is shown as involving a bracket 100 fixed to or carried by the carriage of means B and having an opening 101 through which the stem 13 of the nozzle passes. A flange 102 fixed on the stem of the nozzle abuts the bracket 100 and a shear pin 103 connects the flange and the bracket. By forming the shear pin of suitable size and of a suitable material the nozzle is allowed to turn or swing when sufficient pressure is applied thereto and this pressure is determined so that the nozzle Will turn or swing before any damage is done either to the nozzle or to other parts of the machine.

In the form of the invention illustrated, where the manifold 18 of the means B carried fluid between the arm D and the nozzle A it is convenient to form a fluid passage 110 in the manifold extending from one end to the other thereof. At the outlet or discharge end of the manifold the passageway of the manifold is in communication with the nozzle through the structure hereinabove described. At the other end of the manifold the passageway 110 is plugged or closed, as by a closure 111 secured in place as by welding 112. In practice it is desirable to provide a thrust bearing in the carriage between the plugged end portion 113 of the manifold and the body 17 supporting the plugged end 113. In the case illustrated a suitable anti-friction thrust bearing 115 is ararnged between the end of manifold 18 and a plate 116 secured to the body 17 by suitable screw fasteners 117. The details of this construction are clearly illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present invention provides a simple, practical, dependable machine that will operate dependably under severe operating conditions. The mechanism will handle a fluid such as Water under high pressure and as a jet of' Water is delivered by the nozzle A the means B serves to carry the nozzle back and forth or lengthwise of the work W.

As the nozzle is thus operated or reciprocated there is no interruption in the flow of fluid and the structure is such that danger of failure and leakage is minimized. By increasing the velocity of flow of the liquid at the point where the manifold 18 is coupled to the stem of the nozzle pressure at this region is minimized and therefore danger of leakage past the several packing rings is minimized,

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall Within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A machine of the character described including, a reciprocating carriage having a fluid handling manifold extending transversely of the axis of movement of the carriage, an elongate jet delivering nozzle having its inner end pivotally connected to the manifold to receive fluid from the manifold and open at its outer end to deliver fluid radially of the manifold, a rigid substantially straight fluid handling arm receiving fluid at one end portion and having its other end directly connected to the manifold and delivering fluid thereto, a flexible duct connected to the receiving end portion of the arm and adapted to supply fluid thereto and means mounting the arm at its receiving end portion including a slide mounted to oscillate in a direction transverse of the direction of movement of the carriage as the carriage reciprocates and a pivot member pivotally connecting the arm to the slide.

2. A machine of the character described including, a;

carriage, means mounting the carriage to reciprocate horizontally, a fluid handling manifold rotatably supported by the carriage on a horizontal axis transverse of the carriage, a jet delivering nozzle mounted on the carriage to project in a predetermined direction relative thereto and pivotally connected with the manifold to receive fluid from the manifold, a rigid fluid handling arm receiving fluid at one end portion and having its other end rigidly connected to the manifold and delivering fluid thereto, a flexible duct connected to the receiving end portion of the arm and adapted to supply fluid thereto and means mounting the arm at its receiving end portion including a slide mounted to oscillate in a direction transverse of the direction of movement of the carriage as the carriage reciprocates and a pivot member pivotally connecting the arm to the slide.

3. A machine of the character described including, a reciprocating carriage, a fluid handling manifold rotatably supported by the carriage, a nipple carried by the carriage to project therefrom adapted to receive fluid from the manifold, a jet delivering nozzle pivotally mounted to receive fluid from the nipple and held stationary relative to the carriage, a rigid fluid handling arm receiving fluid at one end portion and having its other end rigidly connected to the manifold and delivering fluid thereto and means mounting the arm at its receiving end portion to reciprocate and oscillate as the carriage reciprocates.

4. A machine of the character described including, a

carriage, a jet delivering nozzle on the carriage, means supporting the carriage for reciprocating movement including a pair of parallel spaced rails, supports carrying the rails and located clear of the space between the rails, and wheels on the carriage supported by the rails, a rigid fluid handling arm depending between the rails and having one end closed and having a fluid delivering end connected to the carriage and adapted to deliver fluid thereto, a fixed fluid supply beneath the rails intermediate the ends thereof, a flexible fluid handling duct connecting the fluid supply and the arm adjacent the closed end thereof, and means rotatably supporting said closed end of the arm for reciprocation in a direction normal to the direction of movement of the carriage.

5. A machine of the character described including, a carriage, a jet delivering nozzle on the carriage and stationary relative thereto, means supporting the carriage for reciprocating movement, a rigid fluid handling arm having a fluid delivering end delivering fluid to the carriage, a fixed fluid supply, a flexible fluid handling duct connecting the fluid supply and the other end of the arm, and means rotatably supporting said other end of the arm for reciprocation in a direction normal to the direction of movement of the carriage, the carriage including a pair of spaced side plates extending longitudinally of the carriage and a manifold extending transversely of the carriage and between the plates and rotatably supported by the plates and rigidly receiving the arm and connecting the arm and nozzle.

6. A machine of the character described including a carriage, a jet delivering nozzle stationary on the carriage, means supporting the carriage for reciprocating movement, a rigid fluid handling arm having a fluid delivering end delivering fluid to the carriage, a fixed fluid supply, a flexible fluid handling duct connecting the fluid supply and the other end of the arm, and means rotatably supporting said other end of the arm for reciprocation in a direction normal to the direction of movement of the carriage including a guideway and a crosshead carried by the gnideway and rotatably supporting the arm, the carriage including a rotatable fluid conducting member fixed to the arm and rotatably connected to the nozzle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 883,132 Goff Mar. 24, 1908 1,928,621 Frede Oct. 3, 1933 2,194,071 Hine Mar. 19, 1940 2,395,845 Bukowsky Mar. 5, 1946 2,508,594 Bukowsky May 23, 1950 

